BREAKING: Senate Committee Advances Tulsi Gabbard’s Nomination in Tight Vote

The Senate Intelligence Committee voted to advance Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination for the role of Director of National Intelligence in a tight, 9-8 vote on Tuesday.

Gabbard has been one of President Donald Trump’s more controversial nominees. She clashed with multiple lawmakers last week at her Senate hearing over a number of her past statements and foreign policy positions. Gabbard needed the support of all Republicans on the committee to move forward.

Gabbard received a crucial endorsement from Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) when he announced his intention to support her nomination just hours before Tuesday’s afternoon vote.

“I have done what the Framers envisioned for senators to do: use the consultative process to seek firm commitments, in this case commitments that will advance our national security, which is my top priority as a former Marine Corps intelligence officer. Having now secured these commitments, I will support Tulsi’s nomination and look forward to working with her to protect our national security,” he said in a statement.

Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and James Lankford (R-OK) were also considered to be on the fence before moving towards supporting Gabbard on Monday.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services was advanced by the Senate Finance Committee earlier on Tuesday. Kennedy and Gabbard will next face full votes in the Senate. Gabbard can only afford to lose three Republican votes in a full Senate vote assuming every Democratic lawmaker opposes her nomination.

Watch above via CNN.